Andromeda Botanic Gardens
Andromeda Botanic Gardens
— Open Daily For All: 10 am (earlier if requested) – 4 pm (last entrance, stay for as long as you wish) and all bank holidays. Just turn up – booking is not required. Closed Christmas Day Only.
Andromeda is open! Please support the original, authentic, organic, and historic 1950s Barbadian garden created by our most influential gardener Iris Bannochie.
Please note Andromeda Botanic Gardens is not wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair users can fully access only the reception, café, classroom, and upper washrooms. The site’s topography, on a coastal location, makes full accessibility impossible.
We desperately need your support.
(Updated January 2023)
Get Back To Nature In Barbados
Are you a nature lover in Barbados?
Then discovering the natural wonders of the island is right up your alley.
The natural beauty of Barbados is undeniable, and experiencing it first-hand is a definite ‘must-do’ during your stay on the island.
There are, of course, beautiful beaches, the limestone caves like Harrison’s Cave, the tropical Welchman Hall Gully, as well as the Barbados Wildlife Reserve.
If you’re interested in natural gardens, you’ll enjoy visiting one (or all!) of Barbados’ wonderful botanic gardens – one of the most beautiful is, without a doubt, Andromeda Botanic Gardens.
Discover Andromeda Botanic Gardens
Andromeda Botanic Gardens is a 6-acre botanical garden located in Bathsheba in the eastern parish of St. Joseph.
As it’s a botanical garden, it means it’s dedicated to collecting, cultivating, and displaying a wide range of flowering plants and tropical trees.
The garden first began as a private plant collection around the home of Iris Bannochie, a leading Barbadian horticulturalist. She founded the garden with her husband in 1954 on family-owned land, which was later opened to the public. The Gardens has remained open by paid admission to this very day.
Upon Iris’ passing in 1988, she willed the management of Andromeda Botanic Gardens to the Barbados National Trust to ensure that both local Barbadians and visitors to Barbados could continue to enjoy its beauty and learn about horticulture.
Iris was devoted to horticultural training; therefore, various horticultural courses, such as design workshops and practical horticultural programs, are now available at Andromeda Botanical Gardens.
What’s in a name? The name of the Gardens comes from the Greek mythological goddess of Andromeda, who was chained to a rock as a sacrifice. The garden is also ‘chained’ to the coral stone rock of the east coast of Barbados, hence the name ‘Andromeda.’
What Can I Expect?
Andromeda Botanic Gardens showcases the largest and finest collection of tropical plants in the Eastern Caribbean.
The garden displays plants like Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Heliconia, Orchids, Palms, Cacti and Succulents, Ferns, and Begonias.
You’ll also find a large talipot palm in the Gardens, one of the largest palms in the world!
Thousands of plants have been introduced from around the world, including many rare species and hybrids. Most of these have been exchanged with other well-known botanic gardens and horticulturalists or by personal plant-collecting trips in other tropical lands.
To add to the picturesque garden setting, a small stream forms beautiful pools and waterfalls – a surefire photo opportunity, so don’t forget to pack your camera.
You can tour the Gardens and soak in the surroundings at your own pace or take a guided tour to get some interesting insider insights (please check with the Gardens direct regarding availability).
Also located on the property of Andromeda Gardens is a well-stocked gift and souvenir shop, as well as a café and restroom facilities.
Tip: Andromeda Botanic gardens also host weddings, and other functions, so don’t forget to consider them for your next function or celebration.
Although the Barbados National Trust owns the Gardens, they are managed by Passiflora Ltd. Additionally, Garden Wall Designs is responsible for private educational courses and ongoing redevelopment of the garden, and the University of the West Indies (UWI) (the Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences) has responsibility for horticultural research activities and education at the Gardens.
Additional Information
Opening hours: Daily 10 am – 4 pm except for Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Kadooment Day, Emancipation Day, and Christmas Day.
Telephone: (246) 433-9384
Email: [email protected]
Admission: Adults $25BBD, children $12.50BBD, and concessions are available (please enquire directly for details)
Note: The last admission into the Gardens is at 4 pm.
Want To Know More?
For more information, check out the Andromeda Botanic Gardens website (http://www.andromedabarbados.com/).